Chapter 5: The North American Manufacturing Core

Most everything we come in contact with in this world is manufactured. Although many items are manufactured out of the United States, industry located in the U.S. and Canada still produce most of what people in both countries consume. Manufacturing's role in defining a continental core suggests how important this form of economic activity is in defining the character of the United States and Canada. The manufacturing core is very close to the important ports, main communication centers, and the financial centers in both countries.

The United States has become a service economy and many states, Arizona included, generate most of their revenue through service industries.The spending of tourists and retired people contribute a lot to the revenue.

Arizona's manufacturing revenues are generated from high tech products like computers, electronic equipment, and aerospace vehicles.

Manufacturers add value to raw products by creating manufactured items. For example, cotton cloth becomes more valuable than a boll of cotton through manufacturing. In terms of value added, Computer and electronic equipment (computer microchips) and electronic components, including communication systems, are Arizona's most important manufactured goods. Arizona’s manufacturing exports fell 16 percent during this time while overall U.S. manufacturing exports rose 70 percent. Manufactured exports support 23 percent of Arizona's manufacturing jobs.

http://www.netstate.com/economy/az_economy.htm
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